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abookwanderer's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Search for Us is the second book by Susan Azim Boyer, and after enjoying her debut last year, I quickly added her next one to my list. I’m so very happy I did, because I think Boyer may have surpassed her sparkling debut. Refreshingly honest, timely, and so full of heart, I adored this young adult novel about two half-siblings finding each other and themselves as they search for their biological father.
Boyer tapped into her own history to write her debut, Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win, and The Search for Us is inspired by her husband’s discovery of a sister when he did a DNA test. There’s something about knowing a book is inspired by real life that makes it even sweeter. It’s clear the author has a true connection with the material.
The story is told from our two half-siblings, Samira and Henry, both high school seniors, both struggling with problems at home that can be mostly attributed to their absent biological father. When they both set out to find him, they find each other, as well. I adored Samira and Henry. They were both kind, but flawed in different ways. It was rewarding to see them grow and learn through their joined experiences.
Along the way, they discover surprising things about their father and their families, and I appreciated how the author took characters that might seem unforgivable and made me sympathize with them, even understand them.
DNA matching is such a timely and fascinating subject. I would have thought discovering an unknown sibling is a rare event, until it happened in my own family. My mother discovered she had an older half-brother less than ten years ago through DNA matching. While discovering a new sibling can be shocking, for my mother it was a happy occasion. Both her parents had already passed and she’d only ever had one sister, so she was happy to expand her family. I think Boyer does a wonderful job of capturing this strange dichotomy.
The Search for Us is a special book, touching on a sensitive subject with grace and honesty, giving us two characters we desperately hope will find their way. It had me smiling, as well as misty-eyed, and deserves all the love and attention!
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Check out my reviews and book playlists at A Book Wanderer
Boyer tapped into her own history to write her debut, Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win, and The Search for Us is inspired by her husband’s discovery of a sister when he did a DNA test. There’s something about knowing a book is inspired by real life that makes it even sweeter. It’s clear the author has a true connection with the material.
The story is told from our two half-siblings, Samira and Henry, both high school seniors, both struggling with problems at home that can be mostly attributed to their absent biological father. When they both set out to find him, they find each other, as well. I adored Samira and Henry. They were both kind, but flawed in different ways. It was rewarding to see them grow and learn through their joined experiences.
Along the way, they discover surprising things about their father and their families, and I appreciated how the author took characters that might seem unforgivable and made me sympathize with them, even understand them.
DNA matching is such a timely and fascinating subject. I would have thought discovering an unknown sibling is a rare event, until it happened in my own family. My mother discovered she had an older half-brother less than ten years ago through DNA matching. While discovering a new sibling can be shocking, for my mother it was a happy occasion. Both her parents had already passed and she’d only ever had one sister, so she was happy to expand her family. I think Boyer does a wonderful job of capturing this strange dichotomy.
The Search for Us is a special book, touching on a sensitive subject with grace and honesty, giving us two characters we desperately hope will find their way. It had me smiling, as well as misty-eyed, and deserves all the love and attention!
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Check out my reviews and book playlists at A Book Wanderer
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Car accident, Racism, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and War
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